As part of their Councils’ efforts to support and increase the Early Childhood workforce, Birth to Five Illinois is co-hosting a free child care clinic in the Springfield (Region 51).

Listen to Keppen Clanton’s (Region 40 Council Manager) interview, where she discusses everything from local history, to her professional journey, to the challenges families face in Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin Counties and what Birth to Five Illinois is doing about it.

“McLean County has seen at least four childcare providers close in the past year, amid a wave of nearly 40 closures tracked in a four-county region served by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 17.”

Read this Birth to Five Illinois feature in Central Illiana Living, highlighting the family-driven efforts of the Team and Councils in Vermilion County (Region 54)!

Tammy Pollitt and Laken Waltz from the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 Team, discuss their Councils’ progress supporting families in Vermilion County.

Liz Gibson returns to the Morning Roundtable to share updates on findings in a new report and the community-led efforts her Team and Councils are facilitating to improve Early Childhood in Iroquois and Kankakee Counties.

Listen to Jim Walters (Region 33 Council Manager) and Alli Chasteen (Region 33 Family & Community Engagement Specialist) on Galesburg’s Morning News!

Mire esta entrevista de 30 minutos de Buenos Días Aurora con David Quiroz, Gerente del Comité de la Región 31. ((Watch this 30-minute Buenos Días Aurora interview with David Quiroz, Region 31 Council Manager. )

Listen to Ann Oswalt, Region 12 Council Manager, provide updates on the impact of Birth to Five Illinois in Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland Counties.

Watch (and/or read an interview with Abby Hoskins (Region 47 Council Manager), and two Region 47 Action Council Members, Maggie Fern, (4-C Recruitment and Retention Coordinator) and Rachael DeSpain, (Tri-County Opportunities Council Head Start Program Director).

On this Elevate Springfield podcast episode, Ashley Earles discusses Birth to Five Illinois’ progress, focusing on Early Childhood programs, community engagement, and mental health services.

Watch Pankti Jani, Region 34 Administrative Support talk about what her Team and Councils are doing to connect families with resources and help open more home child care in Lake County.

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1 encouraged the formation of a dedicated group to raise awareness of the impact of declining child care for families and businesses. Their first step is awareness building.

Listen to Janice Crow, Region 20 Council Manager, and Laura Danko, Region 20 Action Council Member and Family Representative, on the Morning Mingle with Mark Wells.

David Quiroz (Region 31 Council Manager) and two Kane County Family Council members discuss how Birth to Five Illinois is listening to families’ experiences and sharing it with people in the communities who can make a difference.

The Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce features Birth to Five Illinois Action Plan progress in Region 51 (Menard and Sangamon Counties).

Ann Oswalt (Birth to Five Illinois: Region 12 Council Manager) and representatives from Robinson First United Methodist Church and The NOW! Program go on air to discuss an upcoming Resource Block Party.

Watch Kelly McNeal, Region 4 Family & Community Engagement Specialist, discuss the importance of Early Childhood experiences and how the Early Development Instrument (EDI) is helping Winnebago County make data-informed decisions.

Listen and/or watch Ann Oswalt, Region 12 Council Manager, on Facebook Live with the Robinson Chamber of Commerce!

For Felicia Farden, Region 53 Council Manager (Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties), “the mission of Birth to Five Illinois is more than a job. It is deeply personal.”